Socket



MW 3@ 1950 c. J. ADAMS 2,509,406

SOCKET Filed Nov. 29, .1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i: 5. F278. y

Patented May 30, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in sockets of the type employed for the reception of plug-in devices such as radio tubes, and has for an object the provision of an improved socket construction adapted for high frequency use with electronic tubes, coils and other plug-in devices. Sockets of this type have heretofore been formed of dielectric materials, such as Bakelite, Steatite, and Styrene to provide a plurality of relatively deep Ipockets to receive and substantially enclose metallic contact elements. The electrical characteristics of the socket were thus dependent upon the dielectric properties of such insulating material. The present invention contemplates the provision of a socket which is constructed to employ as much air as possible as the dielectric between the metallic contacts in place of the dielectric material heretofore employed, and to thereby provide a socket having improved electrical characteristics for use with electronic tubes, or other push-in devices. By eliminating a dielectric material of relatively high value and replacing it with air between contacts and between contacts and a center shield, a lower value of inter-electrode capacity is obtained. As capacity is a function of plate area in a condenser, this invention further contemplates the removal of superfluous metal from the contact bodyin order to lower the inter-electrode capacity.

This invention further contemplates the provision of a socket provided with a plurality of relatively shallow pockets in the rear face thereof to receive the inner ends of metallic contact members. An annular rearwardly extending flange is formed on the socket to enclose contact portions of the metallic contacts, and means are provided on the annular flange for locking the metallic contacts in assembled relation upon the socket.

This invention embodies other novel features, details of construction and arrangement of parts which are hereinafter set forth in the specification and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View showing a socket embodying features of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. I, showing the means employed for securing the metallic contact elements against displacement from the socket.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3,-3 of Fig. 1, showing one of the metallic contacts mounted in position on the socket.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the socket.

Fig. 5 is a detail plan view showing the improved metallic contact element.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of saine.

Fig. 7 is an end view of same.

Fig. 8 is a plan View of a blank for forming the metallic contact element.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of this invention, the socket is shown as comprising a body portion II formed with a front face I2, a rear face I3 and a plurality of openings I 4 arranged in spaced relation about the longitudinal axis of the body portion Il to receive cooperating plug elements of electronic tubes or other push-in devices, not shown. Relatively shallow pockets I6 are formed in the rear face of the body portion to receive and engage the inner ends of contact portions I'I formed on metallic contact members I8. A rearwardly extending annular wall I9 is formed on the body portion II to enclose the metallic contact elements I8, and a plurality of posts 2I are formed on the annular wall I9 to extend rearwardly in spaced relation to define terminal receiving slots 22. The sides of the posts defining the terminal slots 22 are formed with bosses 23. A plurality of parallel ribs 20 are formed to extend rearwardly along the inner Walls of the annular wall I9 and posts 2| to increase the voltage leakage path between contacts I 8.

The metallic contact element I8 is formed from a blank 20 of resilient metal, illustrated in Fig. 8, to provide a pair of resilient opposing contact arms 26 for tight contact engagement with a cooperating plug contact member 21, and it will .be noted that the side arms 26 are formed substantially triangular, as viewed from the side in Fig. 6, to eliminate superfluous metal from the contact and thereby lower the nter-electrode capacity. By providing an elongated recess 25 between the side arms 26 an increase in the length of the spring base is effected. The contact element is also formed with a terminal portion 28 which is cut away at 29 to provide a relatively narrow neck portion 3I for insertion between the bosses 23 defining restricted opening for the slots 22.

The metallic contact elements I8 are mounted on the socket by inserting the inner end of the contact portion I1 into one of the shallow pockets I E, the end I1 being canted at an angle to the axis of the pocket. In this position the necked portion 3| will be disposed adjacent the opposite bosses 23. The portion 28 is then moved inwardly toward the axis of the socket a short distance, slightly springing the right angle bend formed in the member 20, until the necked portion 3| registers with the bosses 23. The entire member 20 is then rocked until the end Il assumes a position in contact with the base of the pocket I6, at which time the portion I8 will assume the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The terminal portions 28 are then bent rearwardly, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, to position the relatively wide portion 32 thereof in locking engagement under the bosses 23. It will be noted that the relativelyywide portion 32L`ofltliecontact 13? is formedtextend th'e'full Width of"its"slt "221 A ange 36 is formed around the -base portion Il and provided with holes 31 to receive mounti"A ing bolts, rivets, etc., not shown. In order to prevent breakage of the flange 36 during mounting of the socket body, a rib 39 is formedfloneacl-' formed non-circular and extends from ithi.front face l2 to the back face I3 of the socket body, thereby-,removing as-muchwhighqdielectrio material as possible fron1,contact `with afcenter shield (notV show-n) By l elim-natingeidielectrie material of high value and replacing-ite-with air between the contacts and` thecentersheld, a lower value of interelectrode capacityfis.obtainedl` In -.the type f .socket-construction th-us shown and described, -it *will kie-notedithat a-iri isprin-I cipall-y; employed as: vthe dielectric-Ito. improve .the electrical characteristics4 `of the socket.`- In-r ad@` dition to. -the-improvements-in electricalchar-r acteristics; this f typeof u socket constructionr is;l of .I relativelylight- Weight ande-may*- bey manufact tured'at areducedcostf o Y By providing; a plurality of -v shall-low` pockets ini therear 1 face. of A the base yportion fand lafplura-lityl of restricted openingsI 22 in f thel annularv :fia-nger I @,iit willbefnoted that theicontaet members-l 8^- mayereadilygbe mounted in position on tlflgsocketl and` held against f displacementn therefrom?. by: merelyf` bending ,1 the terminal portion 28 rear-f Wardlyg- While this invention-:has'beenfshowninlbtone form,V it is=obvious `torthose skill'edf-in-ethe artthat it is :not so limitedebutfis'susceptible off variousV changes and.- rhodiiflcations1 without departing; from the' ispirit'iand scopel of the claimed invenw tien.`

I claim as my invention:

l; In -anfelectrical connector;,3,1` socket-body," a

pluralityfof contacts havingicontact portionsran'dr relatively-flat `:terrifiinal porti'ons; saidfsocketfhave ing; front tand. rear-faces fandria: rearwardly; ex:- tend-ing z,y annular marginal-` flange a formed With?- radia'll'yf. disposed slots toVA receive f the` terminal;`

comprising opposing; :boss es' .disposed inil spaced? relation; to f fornr, restricteolfi openings` for their respective slots, the terminal portion of each socket contact having a relatively narrow neck portion for insertion between the ends of their respective opposing bosses.

2. In an electrical connector, a socket body. a. plurality of contacts having contact portions and relatively flat terminal portions, said Socket body having front and rear faces and a rearwardly extending annular marginal ange formed with radially disposed! slotsf to l'receive `thex terminal portions of "said`Inetallic"contacts; therear face of said socket body being formed with a, plurality ofy relatively shallow pockets to receive the inner end of the contact portion of said contacts, means formed on said ilange for locking engagement with the: terminal portion of said contacts to retain same in assembled relation when said terminal portion is bent rearwardly, said means comf prisingopposing bosses disposed in spaced relation to form restricted"openings for their respective slotsylthe terminal y'portion vof each lcontact having a` relativelyi narrowneck -lportion :for insertion between the ends-"offtheirirespectiveop posing bosses, and -shouldersf--formedfonf saielftei`V` minal portions. forv locking engagementy under said=bosses. l Y n 3-.v- In; I an electrical connector, i a substantially cupf-sha-pe socket .bodygha-ving-ia basefcompris-r ing-.front-and reary facesand,a-rearwardlyv ex=A tending marginal 1 flange..y said Vbase being provided with aplur-al-ity of apertures` .ffor the reception of a; malel con-tact element, thereanface Aofsaidbase. being-v provided r-with ai plurality vof shallow-V pocketsl. in, alignment with said apertures, a... pld-f rality of contacts .carried byf` said Vsocket* body,-y said .contacts having. contact 4portions positionedin saidshallow pockets ,forthereception of said malei elements and `relativelyrilat lterminal.` portions,l ,saidlmarginalv angebeing provided. with.. marginally spaced slots'. in, substantiallalignment with said apertures `andfpocketsandimeans upon said marginal flange proj ectingl` into said slots` forengagingl said Y'terminal portions t0 loekl the samelin position! upon. said kvsocket body, said termin'al portions'being provided with oppositelyl disposed' notches for insertion past l said projecting. means to position said contactin-Y position to `bel locked: A A A l CHARLES J ADAMS.

REFERlfllCllS5` CITEDV frheffoiiowing references are Of'rerdifthe File ogthv's patenti- UNITED STATES r`PAENTS f: 

